The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked INTERPOL in three North African countries of Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria to place former governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello on its watchlist.
According to The Nation, the decision by the EFCC was based on credible intelligence.
Other countries where the ex-governor is put on the watch-list are Egypt, Libya and Sudan.
Sources in the anti-graft agency disclosed that there are many options on the table in dealing with the Bello situation, which include but not limited to storming the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja, where the ex-governor is believed to be hiding.
The watch-list was activated ahead of the July 17th expected appearance of the former governor before a Federal High Court in Abuja
The EFCC source said: “Ahead of the next hearing of the case, EFCC has activated many options, including taking a concrete action to watch-list Bello in North Africa.
“We are aware of a botched exit to Morocco via Cameroon. We are determined to stop him from going on exile.
From Singapore, the EFCC Executive Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede was in Tunisia where he delivered a paper at a session on illicit financial flows. Thereafter, he had a meeting with all the Heads of INTERPOL in North Africa on the intelligence on the ex-governor.
He formally asked INTERPOL to place Bello on Red Alert in all North African countries and it was accepted.
The watch-list has taken immediate effect. He will be arrested in any part of North Africa.
We took this step because we are suspecting that he had been bidding time not to be available for arraignment.
We expect Bello to be in court to prove his innocence. EFCC has to do its work to avoid bad precedent.”
